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Rachel V Thomas

Doctors Call Kratom The ‘Next Addiction Crisis’ As More US States Push Bans

A popular <span>kratom</span> drink, often marketed as a natural alternative to pharmaceutical drugs, could become the next major <span>addiction</span> crisis in the United States, addiction specialists are warning.

The substance, sometimes dubbed "gas-station heroin," is already banned in at least eight US states—Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Indiana, Louisiana, Tennessee, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Several other states, including Iowa and Idaho, are considering restrictions or outright bans. 

Tennessee looks to make a statewide ban effective from July 1. Earlier this month, Idaho Falls approved a local ban on kratom sales that will also take effect on July 1, the media report said.

While some jurisdictions are targeting synthetic forms of kratom rather than the plant itself, concerns over addiction, overdose risks, and easy accessibility continue to grow.

Last year, US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. <span>Kennedy</span> Jr. criticized the widespread availability of kratom products, many of which are sold at gas stations and marketed in child-friendly forms such as gummies.

"It is a sinister, sinister industry," Kennedy said.

Kratom is a plant-based substance derived from the <em>Mitragyna speciosa</em> tree, native to Southeast Asia. Traditionally used in countries such as Thailand and Malaysia for pain relief and increased energy, it has gained popularity in the US as an over-the-counter supplement.

Kratom products are sold in various forms, including powders, capsules, teas, drinks, and gummies.

At lower doses, kratom acts as a stimulant. At higher doses, it can produce sedative and opioid-like effects. While it remains legal in many parts of the US, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified kratom as a "drug of concern" and has not approved it for any medical use.

<h2>Rising Hospitalizations Fuel Concerns</h2>

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Health experts point to a sharp increase in kratom-related hospitalizations as evidence of a growing problem.

According to a University of Virginia study, there were 43 hospitalizations linked solely to kratom in 2015. By 2025, that number had risen to 538.

Researchers noted that the surge coincided with the emergence of highly concentrated synthetic products, including 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a potent kratom-derived compound.

"It is increasing the prevalence of opioid use disorder," Dr. Andrew Kolodny, director of the Opioid Policy Research Collaborative at Brandeis University, was quoted as saying to The Guardian.

"Being able to buy an opioid at a convenience store is going to make the opioid crisis worse," he added.

<h2>Industry Pushes Back</h2>The American Kratom Association argues that natural kratom is being unfairly blamed for harms caused by synthetic products.

Mac Haddow, the association's senior fellow for public policy, denied that kratom itself is inherently addictive or dangerous. He argued that the real issue is 7-OH, which is significantly more potent than traditional kratom powder.

7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) is a naturally occurring compound found in kratom, and it is far more potent. While kratom itself contains a mixture of alkaloids, 7-OH is an isolated extract or concentrated form that interacts with the body’s opioid receptors much more strongly.

<h2>Kratom To Cause Addiction Crisis</h2>

<strong>Read More: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/taking-duloxetine-us-fda-warns-of-cancer-causing-impurity-in-antidepressant-article-154652385" data-type="tilCustomLink">Taking Duloxetine? US FDA Warns of Cancer-Causing Impurity in Antidepressant</a>

Dr. Angad Madan, Medical Director of St. Peter's Addiction Recovery Center (SPARC), said many users mistakenly believe kratom is simply a harmless herbal supplement.

"Many patients do not know that it's a substance of addiction or misuse. Many patients just think it's a herbal supplement. I think it's false advertising, and it's resulting in another opioid epidemic that New York doesn't really need," he was quoted as saying to WNYT.

Madan added that kratom-related dependence is becoming increasingly common in treatment settings.

"Kratom, also known as 7-OH or 7-hydroxymitragynine, is the number one new substance addiction that I've seen at SPARC across all levels of care," he said.

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A popular kratom drink, often marketed as a natural alternative to pharmaceutical drugs, could become the next major addiction crisis in the United States, addiction specialists are warning.The substance, sometimes dubbed "gas-station heroin," is already banned in at least eight US states—Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Indiana, Louisiana, Tennessee, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Several other states, including Iowa and Idaho, are considering restrictions or outright bans. Tennessee looks to make a statewide ban effective from July 1. Earlier this month, Idaho Falls approved a local ban on kratom sales that will also take effect on July 1, the media report said.While some jurisdictions are targeting synthetic forms of kratom rather than the plant itself, concerns over addiction, overdose risks, and easy accessibility continue to grow.Last year, US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. criticized the widespread availability of kratom products, many of which are sold at gas stations and marketed in child-friendly forms such as gummies."It is a sinister, sinister industry," Kennedy said.What Is Kratom?Kratom is a plant-based substance derived from the Mitragyna speciosa tree, native to Southeast Asia. Traditionally used in countries such as Thailand and Malaysia for pain relief and increased energy, it has gained popularity in the US as an over-the-counter supplement.Kratom products are sold in various forms, including powders, capsules, teas, drinks, and gummies.At lower doses, kratom acts as a stimulant. At higher doses, it can produce sedative and opioid-like effects. While it remains legal in many parts of the US, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified kratom as a "drug of concern" and has not approved it for any medical use.Rising Hospitalizations Fuel ConcernsAlso read: Trying to Quit Tobacco? Yoga Could Improve Your Chances, Suggests StudyHealth experts point to a sharp increase in kratom-related hospitalizations as evidence of a growing problem.According to a University of Virginia study, there were 43 hospitalizations linked solely to kratom in 2015. By 2025, that number had risen to 538.Researchers noted that the surge coincided with the emergence of highly concentrated synthetic products, including 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a potent kratom-derived compound."It is increasing the prevalence of opioid use disorder," Dr. Andrew Kolodny, director of the Opioid Policy Research Collaborative at Brandeis University, was quoted as saying to The Guardian."Being able to buy an opioid at a convenience store is going to make the opioid crisis worse," he added.Industry Pushes BackThe American Kratom Association argues that natural kratom is being unfairly blamed for harms caused by synthetic products.Mac Haddow, the association's senior fellow for public policy, denied that kratom itself is inherently addictive or dangerous. He argued that the real issue is 7-OH, which is significantly more potent than traditional kratom powder. 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) is a naturally occurring compound found in kratom, and it is far more potent. While kratom itself contains a mixture of alkaloids, 7-OH is an isolated extract or concentrated form that interacts with the body’s opioid receptors much more strongly.Kratom To Cause Addiction CrisisRead More: Taking Duloxetine? US FDA Warns of Cancer-Causing Impurity in AntidepressantDr. Angad Madan, Medical Director of St. Peter's Addiction Recovery Center (SPARC), said many users mistakenly believe kratom is simply a harmless herbal supplement."Many patients do not know that it's a substance of addiction or misuse. Many patients just think it's a herbal supplement. I think it's false advertising, and it's resulting in another opioid epidemic that New York doesn't really need," he was quoted as saying to WNYT.Madan added that kratom-related dependence is becoming increasingly common in treatment settings."Kratom, also known as 7-OH or 7-hydroxymitragynine, is the number one new substance addiction that I've seen at SPARC across all levels of care," he said.

doctors call kratom the ‘next addiction crisis’ as more us states push bans

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